Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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80. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop high performance women’s sports in the near and long-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3641/23]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy 2021-2032 targets the further development of Ireland’s high performance system in the near and long term, resulting in the achievement of major medals. A copy of the strategy is available on the Sport Ireland website.

There are seven key pillars in this strategy that will underpin the planned development of high performance sport. Resources will be targeted at priority and medal potential sports, and at improving the capability and capacity of the system to develop and support our athletes. The seven pillars are:

1. Focussed performance investment;

2. Athlete performance and holistic support;

3. World class coaching and support services;

4. Business structures and planning;

5. Partnerships;

6. World class facilities and equipment; and

7. Research and innovation.

Sport Ireland, as the lead authority for high performance sport in Ireland, places an equal importance across both genders in contributing to these medal targets, which is underpinned by a support system that caters for all athletes, male and female, Olympic and Paralympic.

At the most recent Olympic Games in Tokyo, 2 of Ireland’s 4 medals were won by female athletes (Boxing and Rowing). At the Paralympic Games, 5 of Ireland’s 7 medals were won by female athletes (Para Cycling and Para Swimming). Further to this, the major medals won by Irish athletes in 2022 had a 56% to 44% split between female and male athletes, respectively (excluding medals won in Open/Mixed category events). Sport Ireland’s investment in athletes under the International Carding Scheme is also reflective of its equal ambition for male and female athletes, with a balanced split across genders.

Complementing and encouraging Ireland’s success in women’s high performance sport is the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy, which has been in effect since 2019. This Policy provides a framework for strategic initiatives and investment in women’s sport, with a view to achieving objectives in the areas of participation, visibility, and governance.